Apparatus for orienting a body relative to a support or contact surface

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device ( 20 ) for adjusting a body relative to a support or contact surface, comprising: A) a clamping member ( 2 ) fixable to a body and having a clamping sleeve ( 10  provided with an internal thread ( 6 ) and a clamping element ( 3 ) and with an inside thread ( 8 ); and B) a spacer member ( 1 ) with a longitudinal axis ( 13 ), means ( 9 ) for receiving a tool and a shaft ( 14 ) having an external thread ( 5 ), wherein the external thread ( 5 ) of the spacer piece ( 1 ) is engageable with the internal thread ( 6 ) of the clamping sleeve ( 10 ), wherein C) the clamping sleeve ( 10 ) comprises an outside thread ( 7 ) and means ( 24 ) for contacting a structural member ( 15 ), which are provided with a radially projecting shoulder ( 29 ) that is axially terminally arranged; and D) the inside thread ( 8 ) of the clamping element ( 3 ) is engageable with the outside thread ( 7 ) of the clamping sleeve ( 10 ), so that a structural member ( 15 ) is clampable between the clamping element ( 3 ) and shoulder ( 29 ) of the clamping sleeve ( 10 ).

The invention relates to a device for adjusting a body relative to a support or contact surface according to the preamble of claim 1

An adjusting device with an inner and an outer sleeve-shaped part is known from the document U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,407 CABLE. The inner sleeve of this known device has an external thread and is firmly fixable via an anchor bolt screwed in a basement. The outer sleeve comprises an internal thread matching the external thread on the inner sleeve and is firmly poured in a structural member by means of flanges. By rotating the inner sleeve about its longitudinal axis, the structural member can be raised or lowered and thus axially adjusted in its position. This known device has the disadvantage that the adjustment unit is rigidly fixed to the structural member and must be sealed or glued in advance. The part once inserted cannot be nondestructively separated or replaced from the structural member. It is fixedly positioned and can, relatively to the structural member not be moved or displaced. It is not suitable for thin-walled structural members. The washer between the structural member and the basement will only be held by the anchor screw and can slip away. The structural member itself hides the view to the washer and upon releasing the anchor bolt the washer can slip away or fall down.

The invention aims to remedy this. It is an objective of the invention to provide a device for adjusting a body relative to a support or contact surface, which can be mounted, adjusted and fixed to the body to be adjusted in a simple way. The invention will also offer the possibility to mount structural members that are accessible from one side only.

The invention solves this problem with a device for adjusting a body relative to a support or contact surface having the features according to claim 1.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The advantages achieved by the invention are essentially to be seen therein that due to the device according invention:

-   -   the fixation of the clamping member to the structural member is         made possible by simply introducing a clamping sleeve into a         bore hole or elongated hole in the structural member and by         tightening a clamping element which is screwable on the clamping         sleeve, i.e. a pre-assembling in the factory is possible;     -   a use for the adjustment of stand-alone structural members         without anchoring is made possible. Since the spacer piece         performs a rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, the         structural member is raised or lowered during adjustment; and     -   the joining of structural members with each other or a free         placement without anchoring is made possible.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be commented as follows:

In a specific embodiment, the spacer piece comprises a continuous central bore hole coaxial with the longitudinal axis. By this means the advantages are achievable, that:

-   -   the device allows the free choice of anchor bolts and screws;     -   a use of the device for subsequent adjustment of structural         members is made possible, wherein a slight loosening of the         screw connection is sufficient, without having to remove or         correct the anchor, because by moving the loose sleeve relative         to the fixed sleeve only the structural member is moved;     -   the device allows to drill the anchor holes through the inner         sleeve so that the structural member has not to be removed to         drill one or more anchor or fixation holes;     -   a connecting of a structural member to a structural member is         made possible as well, wherein the adjustment is fully         guaranteed and can be performed the same way; and     -   a use of fastening bolts and screws of a size between M6 and M60         is possible. Depending on the screw or anchor diameter, the mass         of the adjustment unit as well as the adjustment range change.

The central bore hole may have a diameter from 7 mm to 35 mm for M6 and M30 screws. There are no special anchor screwings necessary, but commercially available screwings can be used.

In a particular embodiment, the means for contacting a structural member are configured in the form of a flange fixedly connected to the clamping sleeve. This provides the advantage that a low overall height of the clamping member can be achieved compared to a clamping member with an upper and a lower nut.

In another embodiment the clamping element has a first axial end directed towards the flange of the clamping sleeve and a second axial end and comprises a flange-like radial enlargement at the first axial end.

In yet another embodiment, the spacer piece comprises a continuous central bore hole that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis. This allows the free choice of anchor bolts, screws and bolts with anchor sleeves insertable into the central bore hole. The central bore hole can have a diameter between 7 mm for M6 and 35 mm for M30 screws, typically 22 mm in the present embodiment. There are no special anchor screwings necessary and commercially available screwings can be used.

In another embodiment, the external thread of the spacer piece or the entire spacer is provided with a slideway coating. This provides the advantage that the rotational movement of the spacer piece is effected against a lower frictional resistance during the adjustment of the structural or equipment member, which is particularly essential with heavy structural or equipment members. The slideway coating is preferably a plastic coating.

In yet another embodiment, the spacer piece comprises a first end with a flange-shaped foot positionable on the floor space of a basement. This provides the advantage of reducing the friction force during rotation of the spacer piece by reducing the surface pressure. The outer diameter of the external thread D_(G) on the spacer piece is typically 30 mm to match the basic dimension of M20. The outer diameter D_(E) of the flange-shaped foot is typically 44 mm.

In a further embodiment, the external thread of the spacer piece has a thread pitch of at least 0.5 mm for M6. The thread pitch is always given in relation with the size designation, e.g. M6 to M30 and by the choice of thread type. This provides the advantage that the number of revolutions of the spacer piece to adjust the structural or equipment member is not too large. In addition, a small expenditure of force, a fine adjustment and self-locking are guaranteed.

In another embodiment, the external thread of the spacer piece has a thread pitch of maximum 1.0 mm for M30. The thread pitch is always given in relation with the size designation, e.g. M6 to M30 and by the choice of thread type. The thread pitch is typically 1.0 mm for the example with a M20 anchor, permitting an adjustment of heavy structural members without enormous expenditure of force or use of special tools. In addition, a small expenditure of force, a fine adjustment and self-locking are guaranteed.

In yet another embodiment, the clamping element has a height H of at least 12 mm and maximum of 30 mm. Therewith the following advantages can be achieved:

-   -   a large adjustment path s (s=GL−L);     -   a small height of the flange of the clamping member; and     -   a small height of the entire device, always in relation to the         basic size of the anchor bolt.

Preferably, the external thread on the spacer piece has a length GL of about three times the anchor diameter and the clamping sleeve on the clamping member has a length L of approximately two times the anchor diameter.

In another embodiment, the radially projecting shoulder of the clamping sleeve is configured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spacer piece. This enables an accurate flat contact of the shoulder of the clamping sleeve to a structural member.

In again a further embodiment, the radially projecting shoulder of the clamping sleeve forms a first bearing surface for contacting a structural member and the radial enlargement of the clamping element forms a second bearing surface for contacting a structural member, wherein the first and the second bearing surface are provided with a surface structure, preferably in the form of a toothing. Therewith the advantage can be achieved that the structured bearing surfaces increase the security against unintentional loosening of the screwing. Instead of the toothings the bearing surfaces can as well be roughened.

The device according to the invention is preferably used for an adjustment of structural members in steel and metal construction.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail below based on the partially schematic drawings of a preferred embodiment.

It is intended that the adjustment unit is mainly used in general construction engineering, in conjunction with structural members made of steel, aluminum and nickel chromium steel. The structural members are fixed on concrete foundations, walls and ceilings made of a material such as concrete, general masonry, wood, metal, etc.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a longitudinal section through the embodiment of the device according to the invention illustrated FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the device 20 according to the invention for adjusting a body relative to a support or contact surface is illustrated, wherein the body is a structural member 15 or a piece of equipment. The device 20 essentially comprises a clamping member 2 fixable to a structural member 15 or to a piece of equipment and a spacer piece 1 coaxially arranged inside the clamping member 2. The clamping member 2 comprises a clamping sleeve 10 with an internal thread 6 and an outside thread 7 and a nut-like clamping element 3, the internal thread 8 of which engages the outside thread 7 of the clamping sleeve 10. Furthermore, the means 24 for contacting a structural member 15 which are arranged axially terminally on the clamping sleeve 10 are configured as a flange 11 fixedly connected to the clamping sleeve 10. This flange 11 has a larger outside diameter than the outside thread 7 of the clamping sleeve 10, so that the flange 11 forms a radially protruding shoulder 29, which can be positioned in the axial direction on the structural member 15. The clamping sleeve 10 can thus be introduced into a bore hole 16 or an elongated hole in a structural member 15 as far as the flange 11 contacts the supporting surface 17 of the structural member 15. Towards the structural member the clamping element 3 comprises a flange-like radial enlargement 33, which rests on the top surface 18 opposite the supporting surface 17 of the structural member 15 so that upon tightening of the clamping element 3 the structural member 15 is clamped between the flange 11 on the clamping sleeve 10 and the radial enlargement 33 on the clamping element 3.

The spacer piece 1 has a longitudinal axis 13 and comprises a shaft 14 with an external thread 5. The external thread 5 of the spacer piece 1 engages the internal thread 6 of the clamping sleeve 10, so that upon a rotational movement of the spacer piece 1 about its longitudinal axis 13 relative to the clamping member 2, the clamping member 2 and thus the structural member 15 is axially displaced relative to the spacer piece 1.

The internal thread 6 of the clamping member 2, which engages the external thread 5 of the spacer piece 1 allows a height adjustment of the structural member 15 relative to a base or a seating 31, while the outside thread 7 of the clamping sleeve 10 which engages the inside thread 8 of the clamping element 3 is used for supporting the device 20 on the structural member 15.

Furthermore, the spacer piece 1 is provided with a continuous central bore hole 4 coaxial to the longitudinal axis 13 so that the spacer piece 1 can be slid over an anchor screwing 25. The spacer piece 1 has a first and a second end 21, 23 cutting the longitudinal axis 13, wherein the spacer piece 1 is provided with a flange-shaped foot 22 at its first end 21 and has means 9 for receiving a tool at its second end 23, which have an octagonal cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 13 and are suitable to rotate the spacer piece 1 abound its longitudinal axis 13 relative to the clamping member 2 by means of a tool, e.g. a wrench.

In the described embodiment, the external thread 5 on the spacer piece 1 has a length GL of 38 mm, the clamping sleeve 10 of the clamping member 2 a length L of 20 mm and the clamping element 3 a height H of 9 mm.

Functioning of the Device 20:

The clamping member 2 consisting of a clamping sleeve 10 and a clamping element 3 is fixedly screwed to the structural member 15. For this purpose the clamping sleeve 10 is inserted into a bore hole 16 in the structural member 15 as far as the flange 11 that is enlarged in diameter with respect to the shaft of the clamping sleeve 10 contacts the supporting surface 17 of the structural member 15. Subsequently, the clamping element 3 is screwed on the outside thread 7 of the clamping sleeve 10 until it rests on the top surface 18 of the structural member 15 and is tightened.

By rotating the spacer piece 1 with a tool joined to the means 9 which are configured as an octagonal insert bit the spacer piece 1 is axially displaced relative to the clamping member 2 and thus relative to the structural member 15, so that the structural member 15 is raised or levered relative to the floor space 30.

The anchor screwing 25 is not yet tightened, but only tightened so far that the spacer piece 1 can rotate about its longitudinal axis 13. The movement of the clamping member 2 takes place on the spacer piece 1 within the adjustment path s (s=GL−L). During rotation of the spacer piece 1, the nut 27 of the anchor screwing 25 on the side of the structural member is held with a second tool, or a lock nut.

Assembly of the Device 20 on a Structural Member 15:

The anchor holes 28 can be drilled in the basement 31 prior to positioning of the device or can be drilled through the central bore hole 4 of the spacer piece 1. After securing the anchor bolt 26 (or a bolt with an anchor sleeve) in the basement 31, the structural member 15 with the device 20 according to the invention introduced in a corresponding bore 16 is fixed to the anchor bolt 26 (or a bolt with an anchor sleeve) at the basement 31 by means of a nut 27 on the side of the structural member. The anchor screwing 25 is slightly tightened and the clamping element 3 of the clamping member 2 is tightened and secured. Subsequently, the structural member 15 can be adjusted by rotating the spacer piece 1 about its longitudinal axis 13 and fixed by tightening the nut 27 on the side of the structural member. 

1. A device for adjusting a body relative to a support or contact surface comprising: A) a clamping member fixable to the body and having a clamping sleeve provided with an internal thread and a clamping element with an inside thread; and B) a spacer piece with a longitudinal axis, means for receiving a tool and a shaft having an external thread, wherein the external thread of the spacer piece is engageable with the internal thread of the clamping sleeve, wherein C) the clamping sleeve comprises an outside thread and means for contacting a structural member, which are provided with a radially projecting shoulder that is axially terminally arranged; and D) the inside thread of the clamping element is engageable with the outside thread of the clamping sleeve, so that a structural member is clampable between the clamping element and the shoulder of the clamping sleeve.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for contacting a structural member is configured in the form of a flange fixedly connected with the clamping sleeve.
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the clamping element has a first axial end directed towards the flange of the clamping sleeve and a second axial end and is configured as a nut with a flange-like radial enlargement at the first axial end.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the spacer piece comprises a continuous central bore hole that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the external thread of the spacer piece or the entire spacer is provided with a slideway coating.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the spacer piece comprises a first end with a flange-shaped foot positionable on the floor space of a basement.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the external thread of the spacer piece has a thread pitch of at least 0.5 mm for M6.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the external thread of the spacer piece has a thread pitch of maximum 1.0 mm for M30.
 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping element has a height H of at least 12 mm and maximum of 30 mm.
 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the radially projecting shoulder of the clamping sleeve is configured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spacer piece.
 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the radially projecting shoulder of the clamping sleeve forms a first bearing surface for contacting a structural member and the radial enlargement of the clamping element forms a second bearing surface for contacting a structural member and that the first and the second bearing surface are provided with a surface structure.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The device according to claim 1 wherein the surface structure is in the form of a toothing.
 14. A method for adjusting structural members in structural steel and metal construction using the device according to claim
 1. 